How to Kickstart Your Virtual Assistant Business: A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss
The freedom to design a life that’s fully your own—sounds pretty amazing, right? That’s what starting a Virtual Assistant business is all about.
Whether it’s having the flexibility to take Pilates at 2 PM or the ability to choose how you spend your time and money, becoming a VA is your ticket to living life on your own terms.
But how do you ACTUALLY get started? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today.
Why This Year Is Your Year to Become a Virtual Assistant
There’s something about being within reach of a new year—either right after one starts or as one is coming to a close—that feels different, doesn’t it? The energy is next level, and if you’re like me, you’re probably feeling a drive to make this your “year” in one way or another.
If you’ve been dreaming about launching your own VA business, now is the time to turn that dream into reality. But dreaming only gets us so far. And planning without taking action does nothing to move us forward and turn those dreams into cold, hard actualities.
In his book, The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win, author Jeff Haden says this about dreams and plans:
“Plans are great, but plans without action are just dreams.
“…In the dictionary the word “idea” is categorized as a noun. But ‘idea’ should really be a verb, because an idea does not actually exist until you turn your inspiration into action. I should know. I’ve had plenty of ideas but acted on few of them.
“...Ideas without action aren’t ideas. They’re regrets. Every day, people like me—people like you—let hesitation and uncertainty stop them from acting on an idea. Fear of the unknown and fear of failure are what stopped me, and they may be what stops you too.”
So, it's time to start executing on those goals. Wouldn’t you agree?
Here’s how you do it.
Start with a Mindset Shift: From Employee to Business Owner
One of the most important things to understand when you decide to become a Virtual Assistant is that you are not just starting another job—you’re becoming an entrepreneur. This means leaving behind the employee mindset and embracing the identity of a business owner.
As a VA, you’ll be working with other business owners, so it’s crucial to see yourself as their equal. This might require a significant mindset shift because, let’s be real, we’ve all been trained to be employees our entire lives. We’ve been told to impress our bosses and climb the corporate ladder.
But guess what? That’s not the path to true freedom. As a business owner, the only person you need to impress is yourself.
Avoid the Trap of “Business Illusion”
When we first start thinking about being a business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in what I like to call “business illusion.” This is when you’re doing all the external things that make you look like a business owner—creating a website, designing a logo, buying expensive platforms—but you’re not actually operating like one.
These tasks might give you a temporary boost in confidence, but they don’t move the needle. They can even backfire, making you feel discouraged if you’re not landing clients despite having all the “right” tools. Instead of focusing on the appearance of being a business owner, focus on the actions that will actually make you one—like finding your first client.
Visualizing Your Business Owner Self
A powerful exercise I love is visualizing myself as the business owner version of me. I don’t think about my website or logo during this visualization; I focus on how I present myself, my confidence, and how I interact with others. This exercise helps solidify my identity as a business owner and prepares me to engage with clients as an equal.
Get Clear on Your Finances
Money is often the #1 reason people hesitate to start their VA business. We worry about not finding clients or struggling to make ends meet. But here’s the truth: you can be a successful entrepreneur and make a sustainable income. The key is to get very clear on your financial situation.
Create a detailed budget to understand your survival amount and replacement amount. Your survival amount is the bare minimum you need to cover your expenses, and your replacement amount is what you need to match your current income. This clarity will reduce your financial anxiety and allow you to focus on building your business.
Define the Type of Client You Want to Work With
Forget about niching down—what matters more is the type of human being you want to work with. As a VA, you’ll be closely collaborating with your clients, so it’s important to find people you genuinely enjoy working with. Think about past colleagues or bosses you’ve liked and what made those relationships work.
Defining the traits of your ideal client will help you attract people who align with your values and working style, making your business not only more successful but also more enjoyable.
Setting Up the Essentials
Now that your mindset and finances are in check, it’s time to set up the basics. Start by creating an email address specifically for your VA business—something professional and easy to remember. Next, set up a payment platform. If you already have PayPal, you’re good to go. Otherwise, consider using Wave, a free invoicing platform that’s perfect for VAs just starting out.
Landing Your First Client: The Key to Success
Here’s the most important part: landing your first client. Without a client, all the planning and preparation won’t matter. But don’t worry—finding that first client is more about persistence and determination than anything else.
Start by reaching out to your current network. Don’t be shy about letting people know you’ve started a VA business. You might find your first client among friends, family, or acquaintances. If that doesn’t yield results, turn to platforms like Upwork or LinkedIn, where businesses actively seek support.
Determination and Consistency Are Your Secret Weapons
Finding your first client won’t happen overnight. It might take two days, a week, or even a month, but the key is to stay determined and consistent. Spend time every day taking action to find a client, whether it’s creating profiles on new platforms, reaching out to potential clients, or refining your pitch.
Consistency always wins. If you stay focused and keep putting in the effort, you will find that first client and start building the business of your dreams.
Make This Year the Year You Become a Virtual Assistant
Starting a Virtual Assistant business isn’t just about making money—it’s about taking control of your life and creating a future that’s fully designed by YOU. By shifting your mindset, getting clear on your finances, and taking consistent action, you can make this year the year you finally launch your VA business!
Ready to take the next step? Sign up for the VA Vortex to get free weekly video trainings that will guide you through every step of starting your Virtual Assistant business.
